“We knew that they did not have no one that was my size,” the 6-10 LaMont said. “I knew I had to do whatever I could do to get on the glass.”

LaMont finished with 19 points 15 rebounds and eight blocks for the Patriots.

After taking a 17-11 lead into the second quarter, Lely countered with an 8-0 run which was capped on a three-pointer by Karbiel Dirogene to take its first lead at 19-17. The Patriots ended the quarter on a 13- 4 run to take a 30-23 lead at the break.

Eubanks, who struggled offensively in the first half taking and missing multiple shots, attacked the basket to begin the third quarter. Eubanks posted up and drove past the smaller guards for layups. Combined with LaMont who scored eight points in the fourth quarter and their tight pressure defense, the Patriots took a 55-43 lead into the fourth quarter.

“I had to realize that if my shot is not falling, I can do other things like rebounding and getting my other teammates involved,” Eubanks said. He scored 11 of his 26 points in the third quarter.

Lely attempted to full-court press the Patriots to force turnovers in the final quarter, but the precise passing by the Patriots easily broke the Trojans’ press for layups. American Heritage led by as much as 16 points in the fourth quarter.

MALCOLM SHIELDS

NL (20-11): Dirogene 19, Ronquette 13, Talko 13, Estilien 4, Gober 4, Greenidge 3, Milien 1. AH (22-7): Eubanks 26, LaMont 19, Ju. Massey 11, Mullings 10, Ja. Massey 4, McCormick 2, Borders 1. Halftime: AH 30-23. Rebounds: Lamont 15. Assists: Ju. Massey 8. Blocks: LaMont 8. Three-pointers: Dirogene 4, Eubanks 3, Ju. Massey 2, Gober 2, Ronquette, Talko.

•  Region 4-3A final – Coral Springs Christian 62, Westminster Christian 34: After 13 years at Coral Springs Christian, head coach Steve Fitzgerald can finally take his team to Lakeland as the Crusaders dismantled Westminster Christian to clinch their first state tournament appearance.

The win not only ended Westminster Christian’s improbable run to the regional final, but also propelled the Coral Springs Christian boys’ basketball program to its first ever state tournament appearance.

With a chance to make history at stake, the Crusaders didn’t miss a beat.

“We came out with pressure and poise… we’ve been in big games all year so that helped us get ready for a game like this,” Fitzgerald said. “It’s very gratifying to get to this point after coming close a number of times.”

The Warriors relied on the three-pointer in the early stages of the game to keep the game close while the Crusaders asserted their dominance down low, drawing a number of fouls and earning frequent trips to the charity stripe.

Crusaders forward Nura Zanna finished with a team-high 19 points and seven rebounds.

By the half, the Crusaders opened up a 15-point lead and did not give up a single two-point field goal to the Warriors in the first two quarters.

JOEL DELGADO

CSC (22-8): Zanna 19, Clark 2, Bell 14, Pierre-Louis 2, Barnes 12, Prophete, Talent 8, Newman 4, Abadi 1. WCS (19-9): Miller 8, McLean 13, M. Raine 9, J. Raine 4. Halftime: CSC 32-17. Three-pointers: Bell 4. Rebounds: Zanna 7 13. Assists: Bell 3, Zanna 3. Steals: Prophete 4.